Learn to Play the Races!

Night School Study Materials
December 19: Track Announcers/Chart Callers
December 12: Using Technology
December 5: Quarter Horse Racing
November 28: Winter Racing
November 21: Racing in the Media
November 14: Public Handicappers
November 7: Morning Line
October 24: Speed Figures
October 17: Handicapping Maidens
October 10: Racing Office & Jockey Agents
October 3: Understanding Race Conditions
September 26: Sales
September 19: Pedigree Handicapping
September 12: Racehorse Retirement (no materials)
September 5: No school
August 29: The On-Track Experience
August 22: Handicapping Tournament Play
August 15: Money Management
August 8: Handicapping Europeans
August 1: Approaching a Day at the Races
July 25: Handicapping 2-Year-Olds
July 18: Playing Boutique Meets
July 11: Turf Handicapping
July 4: No school
June 27: AQHA Handicapping/Trials
June 20: Pick 6 Strategies
June 13: Breaking into the Industry
June 6: Multi-Race Wagering Strategies
May 30: No school
May 16: Horse Ownership
May 16: Tri- & Superfecta Strategies; Preakness
May 9: Win/Place/Show & Exacta Strategies
May 2: Handicapping the Kentucky Derby
April 25: Jockey Handicapping
April 18: Trainer Intent
April 11: Physicality
April 4: Synthetic Racetracks
March 28: Workouts
March 21: Track Bias
March 14: Trip Handicapping
March 7: Pace Handicapping
February 28: Handicapping for Class

There's no one right way to play the races. Every player has an angle, which means no one way is foolproof. But even as a casual player, you'll win more often if you know how to size up the horses.

We asked our Facebook fans: "If a friend who knows nothing about handicapping asked you for one key insight, what would it be?" They said:

Class figure
Jockey & trainer: individual performance, performance together, or changes -- "At Turfway trainers are the key. Then I look at the class droppers and start positions. If I was going to bet from one thing on the program....trainer!!! They know the horses, jockeys, and track better then anyone." -- Michael
Consistency; for example, finishing in the money with maidens
"Horse for course"--proven record on the specific track
Distance specialist--proven at the distance
Drop in class; for example, from maiden special to maiden claiming
Beyer Speed Figure
Running style--"My handicapping has improved tremendously since I started paying attention to how many stalkers, closers, and front runners are in the race and how the pace is set to be affected by these." -- Robby

Want more? Check out Letter to a New Horse Player and Today's Racing Digest.